Nothing to do with the puzzles – this was a wonderful, festive musical performance I saw on Vanuatu ten days ago, shortly before the devastating earthquake that leveled parts of this beautiful country.
For the first time I can remember, Chanukah begins this year on Christmas Day. I figured I’d commemorate the occasion with a puzzle for each holiday. Whatever holiday you do (or don’t) celebrate – Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus, whatever – I wish you all the best this holiday season!
Nothing to do with the puzzle – just a cool picture of Monaco Casino with Anish Kapoor’s “Sky Mirror” in the foreground. Photo taken Oct. 2024.
Words: 70
Average Length: 5.63
16 Down wasn’t one of the seeds, but I’ve wanted to work it into a puzzle ever since I found out it was a thing that I had. I’d always thought “mind’s eye” was just an expression; I never realized that 96-99% of people, if told to “picture an apple in your mind’s eye,” would more or less see an apple. Not me. It’s hard to believe I made it 66 years or so without knowing I was missing out on this!
I’m flying home today after a wonderful 3-week cruise through the South Pacific. If you’d like to read about it and see some photos, please check out my travel blog, Puffinlesstravel.com.
Also, I just compiled a list of my favorite books that I read in 2024. If you’re interested, the list is here. I love getting recommendations, so feel free to share your favorites in the comments or via email at Jeffspuzzles@gmail.com.
Holiday decorations at our local mall (nothing to do with the puzzle)
Words: 28 (9×9)
Average Length: 4.79
Here’s the second puzzle inspired by my playlist of songs that lift my spirits. As in the first in this series, songs on the playlist are marked with an asterisk. Once again, email me at JeffsPuzzles@gmail.com if you’d like me to send you the complete playlist. I’m also curious what songs other people rely on to put them in a good mood – you can include your list in comments on the puzzle or just send me an email. Thanks!
Speaking of travel, I’ve been cruising around the South Pacific for the past two weeks, starting in Tahiti and visiting Bora Bora, Rarotonga, American Samoa, Samo, Tonga, and Fiji so far, with Vanuatu, Brisbane, and Melbourne still to come. I’ve been posting about the trip, with lots of photos, in my travel blog, PuffinlessTravel.com. Please stop by if you’re interested!
Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam – a place you’d find on an 8 Across. Photo taken March 2024.
Words: 18 (7×7)
Average Length: 5.00
After the election debacle, finding my mood rather bleak, I put together an ever-evolving playlist of songs that always lift my spirits. Some of those songs (starred in the clues) will make it into a series of Happy Songs grids, of which this is the first. If you’d like to see the playlist, email me at JeffsPuzzles@gmail.com.
For a couple of years now, the trend in themeless puzzles is for long answers to be “in the language” expressions. I’ve never been accused of being a trend-setter, so this puzzle hews to that, but I had to add my own stamp with some silly cluing (my default, or just plain fault, depending on your point of view).